Cannula device for high flow therapy

Abstract

A nasal cannula is described herein for respiratory therapy which includes a first gas supply tub with a distal end terminating in a first connector, and a nasal cannula body which includes a first end rotatably coupled to the first connector, a second end opposite the first end, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, and a first nasal prong in fluid communication with the first gas supply tube. The first nasal prong is rotatable relative to the first gas supply tube about the longitudinal axis of the nasal cannula body.

We claim: 
     
       1. A nasal cannula for respiratory therapy, the cannula comprising:
 a first gas supply tube having a distal end that terminates in a first connector; 
 a nasal cannula body comprising:
 a first end rotatably coupled to the first connector, 
 a second end, opposite the first end, 
 a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, 
 a first section fixedly extending from the first end, 
 a second section fixedly extending from the second end, the second section being directly and rotatably coupled to the first section, the first section and the second section being disposed adjacently along the longitudinal axis, and 
 a first nasal prong extending directly from the first section and in fluid communication with the first gas supply tube, 
 a second nasal prong extending directly form the second section, 
 
 wherein the first nasal prong is rotatable relative to the first gas supply tube the second section, and the second nasal prong, the rotation being about the longitudinal axis of the nasal cannula body, 
 wherein the second nasal prong is rotatable relative to the first gas supply tube, the rotation being about the longitudinal axis of the nasal cannula body, and wherein the first section does not overlap the second section. 
 
     
     
       2. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable coupling between the first end of the nasal cannula body and the first connector is a bearing. 
     
     
       3. The nasal cannula of  claim 2 , wherein the rotatable coupling between the first end of the nasal cannula body and the first connector is a journal bearing. 
     
     
       4. The nasal cannula of  claim 3 , wherein the journal bearing has sufficient static frictional torque to maintain a rotational position of the first nasal prong relative to the first gas supply tube. 
     
     
       5. The nasal cannula of  claim 4 , wherein the journal bearing has frictional torque of about 0.01 Nm to 1 Nm. 
     
     
       6. The nasal cannula of  claim 5 , wherein the journal bearing has an internal surface contoured such that the journal bearing has intermittent rotational stops. 
     
     
       7. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , further comprising a lock configured to lock a rotational position of the first nasal prong relative to the first gas supply tube. 
     
     
       8. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the first section and the second section are coupled by one of a connection having sufficient static frictional torque to maintain a rotational position of the first section with respect to the second section or a journal bearing such that the first section is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the nasal cannula body relative to the second section. 
     
     
       9. The nasal cannula of  claim 8 , further comprising a second gas supply tube having a distal end that terminates in a second connector, wherein the second end of the nasal cannula body is rotatably coupled to the second connector, and wherein the second nasal prong is in fluid communication with the second gas supply tube. 
     
     
       10. The nasal cannula of  claim 9 , wherein the first nasal prong is not in fluid communication with the second nasal prong. 
     
     
       11. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the second prong is positioned a distance along the longitudinal axis from the first nasal prong, and wherein the distance is adjustable. 
     
     
       12. The nasal cannula of  claim 11 , wherein the first nasal prong is axially slidable along the longitudinal axis of the nasal cannula body relative to the second nasal prong. 
     
     
       13. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein a line extending from an interior of the cannula body through a center of a lumen of the first nasal prong is curved. 
     
     
       14. The nasal cannula of  claim 12 , wherein the nasal cannula body includes a surface contoured to provide a discrete number of stable axial positions of the first nasal prong. 
     
     
       15. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the first nasal prong is rotatable in a first and a second direction about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       16. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the nasal cannula body is manufactured as a singular piece. 
     
     
       17. The nasal cannula of  claim 1 , wherein the first nasal prong maintains fluid communication with the first gas supply tube throughout a full rotation of the first connector. 
     
     
       18. The nasal cannula of  claim 9 , wherein the first section and the second section are rotatable relative to each other and relative to a position of at least one of the first gas supply tube or the second gas supply tube.